Saucy Ham & Potato Bake

Scalloped potatoes and sliced ham baked under a blanket of homemade cheddar cheese sauce. This is comfort food that uses up leftover ham beautifully, and the from-scratch sauce takes about ten minutes on the stovetop.

The cheese sauce starts with a basic roux of margarine and flour, then milk gets stirred in gradually until thick. A hit of dry mustard gives the sauce a subtle sharp bite that keeps the cheese from tasting one-note. Toss the sliced potatoes in the sauce first so every piece gets coated, then layer the ham and reserved potato slices on top with a final handful of cheddar.

That top layer of cheese goes on bubbly and golden after 30 minutes in the oven.

Pro Tips

• Use pre-cooked potatoes sliced about ¼ inch thick. Raw potatoes won’t cook through in only 30 minutes of baking.
• Stir the sauce constantly while adding milk to avoid lumps. A whisk works better than a spoon here.
• Don’t skip the dry mustard. It sharpens the cheese flavor without adding noticeable mustard taste.
• Let the casserole rest 5 minutes out of the oven before serving. The sauce thickens as it cools slightly.

Variations

• Use sharp cheddar for a bolder cheese flavor, or mix in some Gruyere for a more complex sauce.
• Add frozen peas or steamed broccoli between the layers for a built-in vegetable side.
• Swap ham for cooked chicken or smoked turkey.